Stem cells and extra cellular matrices: Applications in tissue engineering

The ability to artificially simulate the ‘mechanical’ niche, broadly termed as Extracellular Matrix (ECM), of the bone marrow determines success for stem cell growth, architectural organization and differentiation viz. tissue engineering. The advent of various natural and synthetic polymers has greatly influenced tissue engineering. The focus of the review is on various artificial niche simulations, ECM, scaffolds such as hydrogels, electrospun nano and micro fibers, bone-strengthening scaffolds and tissue infills. The utility of the ECMs in the treatment of various medical conditions including bone and cartilage tissues, nervous tissues, spinal cord and tendon tissues as well as wound healing, along with the ability of some ECMs in entrapment of elusive cell secretomes will be discussed. The future of tissue engineering has indeed got a new lease of life with polymer scaffolds and it is feasible that certain goals, thought of impossible so far, may become possible.